Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

Page 84

(karah prasaada) and a communal meal. There are many Gurudwaras in Britain.
Holy Days
Sikhs celebrate special days such as celebrations relating to the Gurus, Vaisakhi and Diwali.
Life Style
All Sikh men take the religious name Singh (lion) and all Sikh women have Kaur (princess), in order to promote equality and nullify caste.
Sub-sects
Sikhism, however, does have a number of sub-sects such as:
Namadhari
puritan Sikhs, who observe daily rituals strictly and abstain from smoking and drinking and are largely vegetarians.
Akalis
a militant group within Sikhism, who subscribe to fundamental principles, but are prepared to protect their faith by political or military means if necessary.
Nirankaris
are a special group formed after Gurbachan Singh (Nirankari Baaba), who reject the declaration of the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, that he was to be the last Guru. Gurubachan Singh argued that any deserving Sikh could become a Guru.
Nanak-panthi
they believe that the Guru's teachings are the only essential Sikh duty and nothing else is required.
Khalsa
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created a new order within the Sikh community, the Khalsa (pure), whose members were willing to arm and serve the faith militarily if required. As an act of moral and practical symbolism, spiritual importance and a sign of obedience to the will of God, they wear the 'Five Ks': have uncut hair (kesh), a comb (kangha), a sword (kirpan), a bracelet (kara) and shorts (kaccha). Men are also required to wear a turban.
Sikh society is patriarchal, however women are respected and their views are noted. Nowadays women have been given a greater role in the management of the households, businesses, society and the state. The marriages are usually arranged ones. Divorces are rare. After death the body is cremated as soon as possible.
Interfaith activities
Sikhs are active in interfaith movements and accept people from other faiths to be converted as a Sikh.
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